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Class: 2024
School: Carlsbad(CA) Carlsbad
Position: QB
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 185lbs

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Bucketheads Podcast: The Ohio State men’s basketball team is freefalling. Can it be fixed?
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Welcome to the airing of grievances. Take a ticket.

‘Bucketheads’ is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. Every episode they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in the college hoops world.

Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio


For Episode 62 of ‘Bucketheads’, Connor and Justin are airing out some grievances. The Ohio State men’s basketball team is 0-4 over the last two weeks and has gone from a Big Ten title contender to an NCAA Tournament bubble team. What needs to change for the Buckeyes moving forward for them to turn this losing streak into a winning streak?

What do the guys prefer as the starting lineup, who should see more of the floor, and who should see less of the floor? Chris Holtmann’s seat has been “hot” since 2021 according to many fans, but is the seat getting a bit toastier after last week’s loss to Minnesota?

And what do you think? Comment your thoughts and like and subscribe to the podcast.


Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGHL

Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor

Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba

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Five-star DL from Florida has Ohio State “easily top two” in his recruitment
Bret Favachio via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


David Stone | 247Sports

The Buckeyes and defensive line coach Larry Johnson look to be a major player for a top five prospect in the 2024 class.

It was a relatively eventful Tuesday on the recruiting trail, led by a pair of highly-coveted prospects holding the Buckeyes in high regard. Plus, a trio of prospects saw their hard work continue to pay off as they were on the receiving end of offers from Ohio State.

Stone, Calhoun have Buckeyes as finalists


Unquestionably the biggest news that came on Tuesday was when 2024 five-star defensive lineman David Stone of IMG Academy (FL) discussed his thoughts on Ohio State and where they stand in his recruitment with Garrick Hodge of Eleven Warriors.

“I’ve been a fan since I was growing up,” Stone said of the Buckeyes. “I used to watch them on TV, a lot of their games came up in Oklahoma for some reason. I’ve always been a fan of theirs. One of my first games watching them was against Wisconsin sometime in the late 2000s. And then of course with coach Johnson, that’s D-line U. He’s one of the best defensive line coaches in the country.”

Stone continued by stating that Ohio State, who offered him just one week ago, was “easily top two,” to Hodge. While the No. 4 prospect overall didn’t clarify the other program that is inside his top two, the safe assumption would be Michigan State or Oklahoma. The two programs are the only universities to receive a crystal ball prediction in favor of landing Stone.

For the Buckeyes, the next plan of action has to be getting Stone — the second highest-graded defensive lineman in the class — to get on campus for a visit. The 6-4, 270-pounder revealed that he plans to make it to campus in March.

Stone wasn’t the only one that named Ohio State as a finalist in their recruitment though. 2024 five-star offensive tackle Daniel Calhoun of Centennial (GA) narrowed things down as well, and slotted the Buckeyes inside of his top 10.


Calhoun has been a long-time target of offensive line coach Justin Frye, as the program offered him 12 months ago, and the early returns are a success. The Roswell native has the Buckeyes in the mixmbut they will have their work cut out for them with Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas also well-positioned for the No. 3 ranked offensive tackle in the cycle.

Ohio State dishes out three new offers


Aside from the good news with Stone and Calhoun, the Buckeyes were also active on the recruiting trail on Tuesday with three new offers going out. It was 2024 four-star defensive end Marquise Lightfoot of Kenwood Academy (IL), 2024 five-star quarterback Julian Sayin (Alabama commit) of Carlsbed (CA), and 2024 four-stat running back Taylor Tatum of Longview (TX) who were the recipients of an Ohio State offer.

Lightfoot and Tatum haven’t began the process of narrowing things down yet, so the Buckeyes might have an opportunity to become players for the two. But Sayin on the other hand is the most interesting offer of the day.

The No. 2 QB in the entire class has been pledged to Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide since November. With Raiola no longer in the picture, Ohio State has a void in their 2024 class that they hope to fill with an elite talent. Can the Buckeyes and specifically Ryan Day really gain any ground on Alabama or is this just a flyer? Surely we will found out sooner rather than later.

Quick Hits

• On3 revealed their final 2023 recruiting rankings on Tuesday, and a pair of Buckeyes saw their name among the elite. The recruiting service slotted cornerback Jermaine Mathews of Winton Woods (OH) and wide receiver Noah Rogers of Rolesville (NC) as five-star prospects in their last ranking update for the class.
• Two Ohio State coaches were on the road yesterday, as newly promoted tight ends coach Keenan Bailey was in Georgia and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was spotted at an in-state program. Bailey stopped at Cass (GA), home of three-star wide receiver Sacovie White (Georgia commit) and a 2026 offensive tackle with a handful of power five offers in Bear McWhorter.
• According to Austin Ward of Dotting The Eyes, the Buckeyes added a signal-caller from the transfer portal on Tuesday as former Oregon State QB Tristan Gebbia will head to Columbus. The latest portal addition will round out the depth at the quarterback position behind either Devin Brown or Kyle McCord.

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Tough choice!

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Class: 2024
Position : Defensive End
School: Chicago(IL) Kenwood
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 225lbs


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Column: Harbaugh’s return is good for the Buckeyes
JamiJurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

Harbaugh’s tendency to stoke rivalry flames could backfire.

While rumors have been swirling around Jim Harbaugh’s plans for next season (and who would be his replacement if he chose to return to the NFL), he put them to rest Monday when he informed Michigan he would be staying next season — much to the chagrin of many Buckeye fans.

But I’m here to tell you why this move is actually a good thing for Ohio State (because ultimately, I don’t care about That Team Up North’s news unless it is news I can use for my own personal gain).

Let’s start with the obvious. If Harbaugh is staying, we can simply reject the rumor that Urban Meyer was being considered as a potential replacement, an idea floated by former Wolverine wide receiver Braylon Edwards.

Meyer — who was undefeated against Michigan during his seven years at Ohio State — is not particularly known for his loyalty, so this rumor did put the fear of God in my heart. We don’t accept it structurally, and we don’t accept it spiritually, and now, thanks to Harbaugh’s decision, we do not have to accept it at all!

But it runs deeper for me.

Because while I think there are a multitude of reasons that I loathe Jim Harbaugh so much I dream of eating cereal from a bowl of his tears, the fact of the matter is he’s done good things for the Michigan football program.

And the rivalry is, for better or worse, stronger when both teams are good, when there is legitimate competition.

In the years where OSU pretty much knew we were going to roll to victory in The Game with nary a passing glance, it became challenging to fulfill our legal obligation to hate Michigan with every fiber of our being. It’s hard to hate someone you don’t actually care about or have to lose sleep over. I know, I know. This is the part we never want to say out loud. But it’s true. The rivalry is better when both teams are better.

Harbaugh, for all the qualities that get under my skin, respects the rivalry. He talks smack year-round. In fact, he was talking smack all while doing the rebuilding stuff. From Day 1, he entered that Michigan locker room ready to piss off Ohio State, and for many years, he was just blowing smoke.

But now, the Wolverines are good. So good in fact that they’ve made the CFP in back-to-back years and have beat OSU two years in a row — something that hadn’t happened in this century.

Losing to Harbaugh’s Wolverines is painful. Like icepick lobotomy painful. They get cocky and obnoxious. They’re in your face about it. And it’s not helped by the fact that I live with a Wolverine. When he gloats, she gloats, they gloat. But I am a sore loser, so it would be awful regardless.

But the saying “No pain, no gain” exists for a reason. Because Harbaugh’s Wolverines are so obnoxious, I have to believe it lights a fire for the Buckeyes. I trust that next year, we’re going to roll into Ann Arbor out for blood, seeking not just victory but vengeance. And maybe, just maybe, if Harbaugh had chosen to return to the NFL, this same fire wouldn’t be stoked in the same way.

So while I do hope he stubs his toe every morning when he wakes up, I’m glad Jim Harbaugh is staying at Michigan. I look forward to sending him back to the NFL on a season-ending loss rather than back-to-back victories over my Buckeyes.

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Ohio State’s big men open up big lead, help shorthanded wrestling squad take down Rutgers
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ohio State athletics / ohiostatebuckeyes.com

Still missing a few pieces, Tom Ryan’s Buckeyes leaned on size and experienced vets to get the win over a top-20 Big Ten opponent.

Ohio State’s Kaleb Romero kicked off Sunday’s Big Ten dual with a bang, as he pinned Rutgers’ Brian Soldano in their opening match at Covelli Center. It was the first of three straight decisive victories by OSU big men, giving the Buckeyes an early mental edge, as well as a massive 14-point lead.


Tom Ryan’s squad would eventually cruise to a 27-12 home victory, despite veteran staples Malik Heinselman (125 pounds), Carson Kharchla (165), and Ethan Smith (174) all missing from the lineup. Overall, Sunday’s result seemed like a nice confidence builder for this very talented team, albeit one which has consistently struggled with inconsistency (in part due to injuries).

Rather than going in weight class order, this dual began with the big fellas. Romero’s pin came against the No. 14 ranked wrestler at 184, and it gave the Buckeye All-American his 11th win of the season by either major decision (MD), tech fall (TF) or pin (fall). The Mechanicsburg, Ohio native has been a dominant force on the mat for Coach Ryan, but perhaps just as important (this season), is the fact that he has remained healthy.

Romero – along with Sammy Sasso at 149 – has given Ohio State a steady veteran presence during the past month or so of uncertainty. His six-point fall gave the Scarlet and Gray an opening lead which was never surrendered.


The second match of Sunday’s dual was at 197 pounds, and it marked the return of OSU’s Gavin Hoffman. He missed the team’s Big Ten opener at Indiana due to injury, but looked to be fully healthy against Rutgers. Hoffman scored a takedown in each round, en route to a 7-3 decision over the Scarlet Knights’ Billy Janzer. Heavyweights wrestled next, wrapping up a trio of opening matches which featured both squads’ biggest athletes.

Tate Orndorff extended an early lead for the Buckeyes by earning a 15-0 tech fall over John O’Donnell. Ohio State’s biggest big man was up 6-0 after one period, 10-0 after two, and finished the match with an escape and quick takedown in the third. Like Hoffman, and most of his fellow “starters” at this point, Orndorff has also been battling through injury. He appeared fatigued while making his return at Indiana, but bounced back in dominant fashion on Sunday. Hopefully another good sign of things to come.

After a heavier-than-expected appetizer, the rest of this dish (dual) was served (wrestled) in traditional (weight class) order. Competing in place of Heinselman, Andre Gonzales suffered OSU’s first defeat at 125. The redshirt freshman from California dropped a close one to Rutgers’ Dean Peterson, who entered their match No. 13 in the national rankings.

True freshman Jesse Mendez then got his squad back on the board with a low-scoring victory at 133. The crown jewel of Ohio State’s 2022 recruiting class scored an early takedown, and never let his opponent go on the offensive. It was not a flashy victory for Mendez, but an impressive one nonetheless.

Ohio State athletics / ohiostatebuckeyes.com

Bad luck caught up with the Buckeyes at 141, when Dylan D’Emilio fell to Joseph Olivieri. After appearing to break a tie in the third period, D’Emilio’s takedown was reversed by video replay, sending the match to sudden victory. However, neither wrestler scored during the extra period, and a win was awarded to the Scarlet Knights via tiebreaker.

Somewhat controversial decision aside, neither wrestler did much to earn a victory over the other. D’Emilio will learn from this one and likely come out much more aggressive in his next competition.

Sasso, Paddy Gallagher, and Isaac Wilcox finished the dual for Ohio State, with each winning their respective matches. Sasso scored three takedowns in the first period (at 149), before coasting to an 11-2 MD. Gallagher and Wilcox then battled to a couple of one-point victories at 157 and 165, with the latter continuing to impress in relief duty.

Finally, up 27-6 and seeing no reason to trout out Smith, Ryan and his staff forfeited the 174-pound match. His decision may have even been predetermined, as long as the Buckeyes found themselves comfortably on top. With so many guys having already spent time on the shelf, resting Smith or any other veteran may be something we see in future matches, provided OSU is afforded the opportunity.

Sunday’s runaway victory was a solid result for a team which should be trending upward. Because it seems that after more than month spent dealing with injuries, Ohio State is finally starting to get healthy again — and doing so at the right time. The team will travel to Maryland this Friday, before taking on TTUN (also on the road) on Jan. 27.

It should be an exciting few weeks, as Ryan’s Buckeyes get to see how they stack up in the ultra-competitive Big Ten.

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247 Profile
Oregon State Profile

Was originally a 4-star 2017 Nebraska signee (NATL #200, PRO #9) in the same class as Tyjon Lindsey.

Per 11W:

"A seventh-year senior who started his career at Nebraska as a member of the recruiting class of 2017, Gebbia is expected to be a backup for the Buckeyes. While he started five games for Oregon State between the 2019 and 2020 seasons, he did not play at all in 2021 due to a hamstring injury and played in just four games in 2022, completing 10 of 11 passes for 79 yards."

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Class: 2024
Position: Running Back
School: Longview(TX) Longview
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 190lbs

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You’re Nuts: Who are your favorite Ohio State sports siblings?
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Kiyoshi Mio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.

Over the weekend we saw Nick and Joey Bosa playing in the NFL Playoffs. While Nick’s San Francisco 49ers were able to advance to to the next round with a win over the Seattle Seahawks, Joey’s Los Angeles Chargers blew a 27-0 lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Over the years there have been plenty of siblings that have come to Ohio State and had memorable athletic careers. Sometimes the siblings are pretty close in age, like Joey and Nick Bosa, or Andre and Kaleb Wesson. Other times there is a little more separation in age. A prime example is J.J. Sullinger, who is 10 years older than his brother Jared Sullinger.

Then there is the Boren family, who had three sons eventually play football for the Buckeyes. It didn’t always look like it would be that way, as Justin started his career at Michigan before transferring home to Columbus. Justin and Zach would play together for a period of time, while Jacoby’s first season at Ohio State was in 2012, which was the final year we’d see Zach in the scarlet and gray.

What we are looking for is your favorite Ohio State sports siblings. Could be brothers or sisters, and doesn’t have to be from just football or basketball. If there are a pair of siblings that are from a sport a little more off the beaten path, we’d love to hear about them and why they are your favorite!

Today’s question: Who are your favorite Ohio State sports siblings?

We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.

Brett’s answer: Joey and Nick Bosa


I know this is an obvious choice, especially since we referenced the brothers in the intro to this article. The Bosas were just so much fun to watch on the field.

Joey was a force at defensive end early on during Urban Meyer’s tenure in Columbus, and was a key part of the defense that won the first College Football Playoff. Not only was the older Bosa the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2014, he went on to be the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016 after being taken by the Chargers with the fourth pick in the draft.

While Joey left for the NFL following the 2015 season, Nick was just arriving in Columbus, recording five sacks in his freshman season in 2016. Much like how Joey blossomed in his sophomore season, Nick did the same, recording seven sacks and being named Big Ten’s Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2017.

Unfortunately we didn’t get to see a full junior season from Nick, as he was injured in the third game of the season in 2018, and wouldn’t return to the field. The younger Bosa was drafted with the second pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, and earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, just like his brother did.

Watching the Bosas was so much fun while they were at Ohio State. The brothers were great defensive linemen, making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks for half a decade. Plus, there was some other fun things from them, like the “Bosa shrug”, and how they were “Big Bear” and “Little Bear”. Since leaving Ohio State there have been some controversies the two have been involved in, but for this I’m just focusing on what they did as Buckeyes.

Meredith’s answer: Kelsey and Chelsea Mitchell


The Bosas are an impressive story not just for their time at Ohio State but also in the NFL, with both of them playing this Wild Card Weekend. But we also have Chelsea and Kelsey Mitchell on the hardwood.

The twins came to Columbus from Princeton High School in Cincinnati, where, together, they won a state title. Kelsey was one of the top recruits in the nation before coming to Ohio State, and her list of high school accolades was lengthy even before earning honors like three-time Big Ten Player of the Year, three-time first team All-American and No. 3 in points all-time in Division I history.

When it comes to professional success, Kelsey eventually was taken with the No. 2-overall pick in the WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever, where she’s led her team in scoring for the past four seasons.

While Chelsea didn’t get the same level of attention as her twin, it was exciting to see the sisters playing alongside one another for several seasons (Chelsea tore her ACL her true freshman season and missed the entirety of the 2014-15 season). While players like the Bosas might be with a program at different times, it’s not often that siblings get to play alongside each other.

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Remembering five great Buckeye moments in recent years
meganhusslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Big man touchdown, anyone?

There are some moments in sports that just can’t be beat. A buzzer-beater to win the game, a lineman scoring a touchdown and a walk-off home run are just a few. Here are some of my favorite big moments from Buckeyes the past few years.

1. Jerron Cage Scoop N’ Score

This is one of my favorite events in all of sports. The big man touchdown. Jerron Cage was running for his absolute life on this 57-yard return and it was so much fun to watch. I was actually at the game and it was one of the most electric experiences ever.


2. Sam Hubbard longest fumble return TD in NFL Playoff History

Alright, I know that he is now in the NFL, but obviously he is still a Buckeye. Besides, half of the Bengals went to Ohio State anyways, so they have to be Buckeye Nation’s favorite pro team. This TD sealed the deal in the Bengals’ win over the Ravens on Sunday, and boy was it an exciting finish to the game.

Hubbard was originally committed to Notre Dame for lacrosse, so the man can in fact run, as shown by the 98-yard dash seen here.


3. E.J. Liddell fadeaway jumper to seal the win against No. 1 Duke

This game in general will go down as one of my favorite moments in Buckeye basketball history. My biggest regret is not buying tickets to the game. Ohio State was down, yet never out in this game. Zed Key has a career night, as did Liddell and Cedric Russell.

This shot by Liddell is one of the most clutch of his Buckeye career. It put the Bucks ahead by three to at least guarantee overtime against the Blue Devils. However, they didn’t score any more after this, so the Bucks won and the fans stormed the court.


4. Tanner Holden buzzer beater against Rutgers

This moment! So fun for the Wright State transfer. Buzzer beaters are another classic sports moment that will always give you chills. You see the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. If you’re on the winning side, like the Buckeyes were, there is no better feeling!

Tanner Holden really just chucked this up from downtown and magically, it went in!


5. Everything about the Tuimoloau Penn State game

Deflected pass that led to INT, INT, sack, strip sack and pick-six. J.T. Tuimoloau could not be stopped!


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Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for January 17, 2023
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.

Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.

You’re welcome!

For your Earholes...


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On the Gridiron


Column: Whatever C.J. Stroud decides today, we should celebrate it as the right decision for him
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

What C.J. Stroud draft decision means for Buckeyes (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes

Breaking down impact as Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud declares for NFL Draft (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

How many Ohio State records does C.J. Stroud hold?
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch

Former and Current Buckeyes Congratulate C.J. Stroud as Star Quarterback Declares for 2023 NFL Draft: “Thank You for Everything”
Chase Brown, Eleven Warriors


C.J. Stroud’s Draft Declaration Sets Stage for Quarterback Battle Between Kyle McCord, Devin Brown
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors

C.J. Stroud’s departure means Buckeyes must break in new QB (paywall)
Rob Oller, The Columbus Dispatch

Big Ten football: Projecting every team’s 2023 starting QB, including Ohio State’s replacement for C.J. Stroud
Brad Crawford, 247Sports

With C.J. Stroud departing, Ohio State has one of the most interesting quarterback competitions in some time
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts


Ohio State football safety Lathan Ransom to return in 2023
Joey Kaufman and Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch

OSU winners and losers following NFL draft declaration deadline
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State roster reset: How the scholarship numbers look at each position (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes

As someone who has previously worked for Matt Brown AND has worked for the Big Ten, I would 100% be on board for this:


Savor the rarity of Ohio State’s incredible run of receiver play
Michael Citro, Land-Grant Holy Land

C.J. Hicks Prioritized Team Over Self as Freshman While Awaiting Opportunity to Play Bigger Role for Ohio State
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors

You’re Nuts: Which assistant coach promotion will be more impactful for Ohio State?
Josh Dooley and Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Hardwood


Buckeyes coach Chris Holtmann talks losing streak, Sensabaugh and more
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

And I would not watch it again:


Ohio State women’s basketball ranked No. 2 in latest AP Poll
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land

Column: After four-game losing streak, Ohio State men’s basketball is looking for its identity
Chris Renne, Land-Grant Holy Land


Ohio State looking for answers as losing streak grows
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

Notebook: Defensive rebounding issues persisted for Ohio State at Rutgers (paywall)
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row

Outside the Shoe and Schott


How five graduate seniors helped transform Ohio State women’s hockey
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch

Men’s Volleyball: No. 14 Buckeyes Earn 3-1 Win at George Mason
Ohio State Athletics

Women’s Gymnastics: Ohio State Scores a 196.250 to Win Georgia Quad Meet
Ohio State Athletics


Women’s Ice Hockey: Three Buckeyes Win WCHA Weekly Awards
Ohio State Athletics

Softball: 2023 Season Preview By The Numbers
Ohio State Athletics

And now for something completely different...


What a perfect bit:


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Ohio State five-star DL target to commit this month
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


2024 five-star DL Justin Scott via 247Sports

The Buckeyes soon learn if a 2024 five-star defensive line target will be joining the program, and a quick update on tight end recruiting.

With the college football season freshly concluded, Ohio State is now putting all focus on building towards the future, as next year’s season comes with a lot of questions. One week into the offseason, it would be reasonable to think that Ohio State would see a drop in making headlines.

However, Ryan Day and his staff have created an incredible recruiting machine in Columbus, and because of this, the Buckeyes will constantly be included among the college football recruiting headlines. This time, it is regarding the teams chances on landing a 2024 five-star defensive lineman who will be committing later this month.

2024 five-star DL target to commit Jan. 31


Ohio State has made it clear: the defensive tackle position is one of great importance in the 2024 recruiting class. The Buckeyes will bring in six scholarship players at the position next season, including 2023 incoming freshman and Buckeye Legacy Will Smith.

The team will be adding two more when Jason Moore and Kayden McDonald join the program in June, bringing the total to eight. This number is usually on the higher-end of the goal for personnel at the position, but college football has seen a drastic change this year with the evolution of the transfer portal. The portal exploded onto the scene, and has made it incredibly difficult to predict what the roster will look like in the coming years.

This uneasiness is likely why the Buckeyes have made it a focus to recruit the position, despite the depth on the current roster projections. The Buckeyes have already extended double-digit offers at the defensive line position, and one of the higher-regarded targets will soon be announcing his commitment.

2024 five-star DL target Justin Scott (Chicago, IL / St. Ignatius) announced over the weekend that his will be announcing his school of choice on his birthday, Jan. 31.


Ohio State has been one of the schools recruiting Scott the heaviest. The Buckeyes offered Scott in September. Soon following the scholarship offer, Scott took a gameday visit to Columbus on Oct. 1 for the Rutgers game.

The visit went as well as planned, and when Scott released a recruitment update earlier this month, Ohio State was among his top eight schools.


Outside of his periodic recruitment updates, Scott has kept his recruitment rather close to the vest. Because of this, it is incredible difficult to predict a direction he is leaning. Despite this, Notre Dame seems to have found some late momentum in the recruiting rumor mill. While the Irish are currently viewed as the favorites to land Scott, the confidence behind it is not strong.

Scott is the No. 4 DL recruit in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and he is the No. 18 overall prospect. He is also the No. 1 prospect out of Illinois.

Make sure to follow Land-Grant Holy Land as we will keep you updated on Scott’s recruitment and all things Ohio State sports related.

Quick Hits

• Over the weekend, Ohio State lost out on one of its top tight end prospects in the 2024 class, when 2024 four-star TE Christian Bentancur committed to Clemson over the Buckeyes and a handful of other programs. This was certainly a miss for the Buckeyes, as they have been in heavy pursuit of Bentancur for a long time. The miss will hurt the Buckeye,s but they are far from without a contingency plan.
• Fellow 2024 four-star TE Michael Smith is set to announce his commitment Jan. 24, and the Buckeyes were recently listed as one of his top schools. Ohio State has competition for Smith, but they also sit in a great spot to land him too. He is the No. 6 TE in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 134 overall prospect. He is also the No. 24 recruit out of Georgia.

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You’re Nuts: Which assistant coach promotion will be more impactful for Ohio State?
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Set Number: X164186 TK1

Brian Hartline, Justin Frye and Keenan Bailey will each have more responsibilities in 2023.

Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.

In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.

This week’s topic: Which assistant coach promotion will be more impactful for Ohio State?

Josh’s Take


Ryan Day handed out two important promotions this past week, one of which made national headlines.

Brian Hartline, former wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator, was elevated to offensive coordinator, ending weeks of speculation. Offensive line coach Justin Frye was also given the additional responsibility of run game coordinator, a title last held by running backs coach Tony Alford.

Lots of moving and shaking, and barring any unforeseen changes, Ohio State will begin the 2023 season with most of its offensive staff taking on new or additional responsibilities.

Day also promoted Keenan Bailey to tight ends coach in December, for a total of three significant changes made to his coaching staff since the end of the 2022 regular season. Significance can be debated, seeing as though all moves were promotions from within, but it is clear that Day favors chemistry and relationships over taking big swings. And personally, I am fine with that.

Hartline’s promotion to OC received most of the attention, for good reason. He is a former Buckeye wideout, has grown up (as a coach) on the Ohio State sideline, and is widely regarded as one of the best position coaches and recruiters in college football. There have been rumors of other schools attempting to poach Hartline for what seems like forever, but he has chosen to stay committed to OSU, and now gets rewarded with an opportunity to (potentially?) call plays and take his own coaching career to the next level. Buckeye Nation hopes that he can do for the offense what he has consistently done for its wide receivers.

However, nothing is guaranteed. Hartline’s promotion, while earned, still leaves plenty of questions. Will Ryan Day pass the play-calling sticks? Can Hartline excel if given those responsibilities, even though he has never called plays before? And will the Ohio State offense suffer as a result of this shakeup? All good questions, but hypothetical at best and not likely to be answered any time soon.

Regardless of how the Day-Hartline dynamic ultimately plays out, the former WR coach will have a much larger impact on next year’s offense. But will his promotion be the most impactful in 2023?

I think not, Gene! Because I just do not believe that Day is going to hand over the keys to the offense. At least not yet. I find it more likely that he continues to call plays for at least one more season, while bringing Hartline along slowly. The latter will certainly have a voice, but I do not see him essentially going from 0-to-60 as the maestro of the Buckeyes’ offense.

For that reason, I predict Frye’s promotion to have more of an impact on the 2023 team. Unlike Hartline, OSU’s offensive line coach and new run game coordinator (RGC) has called plays before — under Day’s mentor, as a matter of fact! So although he did not get the big bump to OC, I could actually see Frye being handed complete control of the Buckeyes’ running game. I mean, it is sort of implied in the title, right? And with that control, he could help reinvigorate a facet of Ohio State’s offense which was lacking in big games.

Frye could essentially take half “ownership” of the OSU offense, with Day and Hartline combining to take over the rest. I know it sounds odd, given his (Frye) lesser title, but go with me here... HC and OC – Day and Hartline – would own the passing game and situational play calling, leaving Frye to his own devices with the ground attack... Sort of like “Hey, we are going to call a lot of your plays, make sure they look good and/or gain yards when we do.”

Because Frye does not need to be babysat. He knows a thing or two about orchestrating a potent rushing attack. In 2019, during his first season as OC at UCLA, the Bruins improved their rushing average by 40 yards per game. In both 2020 and 2021, the team finished inside the top-14 nationally (same statistic).

And as if Frye’s recent success were not impressive enough, Day also watched him work wonders as a RGC in the past. Both were on the Boston College staff in 2013, when Frye designed a run game which allowed Andre Williams to go for 2,000 yards and take home the Doak Walker award — the first and only time it has ever been awarded to an ACC running back.

I think – and hope – that Hartline will eventually become a great OC. He has succeeded in football at every level, and this promotion seems like the next step in his coaching evolution. But it is something he has never done before. Whereas Frye is sliding back into a familiar role. A role in which he has previously prospered. And the Buckeyes need him to do so again, if they want to use their stable of RB in the best way possible.

So I like both of these coaching moves, but I predict that one will yield immediate results over the other.

Gene’s Take


Like Josh, I think the promotion of Frye to run game coordinator is very significant. Ryan Day is a genius when it comes to quarterback play and passing the football, but he is lacking when it comes to designing a diverse and effective run game. Some of those flaws have been hidden by the talent at running back that Ohio State has had during Day’s tenure, but lately those shortcomings are becoming more and more apparent, specifically in short-yardage situations against the best teams on the schedule.

As a former Chip Kelly disciple, working with the offensive mastermind at UCLA from 2018 until his hiring at Ohio State in 2022, Frye can bring more in-depth and nuanced conceptions to the Buckeyes’ rushing attack. He has experience working with both gap and zone blocking, and understands the importance of creating numbers advantages for the running backs.

Whether he is able to do that with basically a brand new offensive line in 2023 remains to be seen, but anything more than just inside zone and stretch runs will be a huge upgrade — especially given all that returns to the RB room in Columbus next year.

Simply for argument’s sake, I will take the stance that because of the lack of experience up front on Ohio State’s offensive line, which will lose three of its five starters, Frye might not be able to do everything he wants from a blocking standpoint in his first year in charge of the rushing attack.

Brian Hartline, on the other hand, returns all of his top weapons from the 2022 season, including a guy who should already be playing on Sundays in Marvin Harrison Jr. and a strong supporting cast among the likes of Emeka Egbuka, Julian Fleming and Xavier Johnson. For that reason, I think Hartline’s promotion will be more impactful in 2023.

For starters, nobody understands the strengths of each specific wide receiver more than Brian Hartline. Ohio State has done a much better job recently of playing into those strengths, as I’m still getting flashbacks of them trying to turn 6-foot-4 Binjimen Victor into a bubble screen guy, but they can hone those skillsets even more with Hartline getting more of a say in the play calls.

Ohio State lost a lot of what made their passing attack so lethal this past season when they went away from attacking the middle of the field. Gone were the slants and mesh concepts that helped them to drop 60+ points on some good Michigan teams. The passing attack was still really good, don’t get me wrong, but it felt like they were unnecessarily hamstringing themself at times by not taking some of the easy yardage they could get over the middle and instead opting to throw behind the line or take deep shots that left them behind schedule.

Like Josh said, I doubt Hartline will get to take over full play-calling duties right away in 2023, but I do think his input will be significant. Using guys like Harrison Jr. and Egbuka in specific ways keyed to their strengths will make two stellar wide receivers look even better, and maybe they will find more ways to use a guy like Johnson who excelled for the Buckeyes this year every time his name was called despite getting very limited touches.

Ohio State will be breaking in a new quarterback and a new offensive line, so getting that passing game going early will be of massive importance. We know it is the defense that needs to take a significant step next season in order for the Buckeyes to really maximize their potential, but the brain trust of Day and Hartline have the possibility to put together a truly lethal offense that could maybe make up for some of the shortcomings on the other side of the football.

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Column: After four-game losing streak, Ohio State men’s basketball is looking for its identity
Chris Renne via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
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The Buckeyes are on an 0-4 skid, and the past four performances leave little reason for hope.

The Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball has struggled of late, with four-straight losses, the latest of which coming Sunday on the road against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in overtime. These recent games have been close, and in a vacuum the results in themselves aren’t cause for concern as college basketball is crazy. But with the four losses happening in a row, with similar issues arising in all four, the questions around the basketball program are becoming louder.

Over the years, Holtmann has garnered a lot of unwarranted negative attention while keeping the program afloat. The Buckeyes have made the tournament every year under Holtmann, and would have qualified in 2020 if the tournament was not cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s an incredible floor for a program to be at, but with zero trips to the second weekend of the tourney, stretches like this will not keep critics quiet. Losing streaks happen in college basketball, but the last four games raise concerns for how this season will go for the Buckeyes.

None of the last four games would have been bad in themselves, but the consecutive nature of them really magnifies the current issues for the Buckeyes. When they play defense, their offense struggles. When they have lineups more proficient at scoring, they give just as many buckets back. That is a not a recipe for success, and creates issues in regards to identity. For Holtmann, the offensive efficiency and timely defense has been the way, but as of late both those areas have failed.

That’s why these last four games represent a watershed for the program as this season continues. Losing a consistent player in Zed Key against Purdue is enough to find the 2-point loss respectable, but the way the game ended with a blown lead loses the luster of a strong performance. Following that up with a flat performance on the road against Maryland where the offense went through long stretches of stagnation, and the defensive lapses by young players started to show cracks.

These losses were only made greater with an incredibly disappointing performance at home against Minnesota — a team 0-4 in conference play at tipoff. Losing that game was inexcusable, and that leads us to Sunday against Rutgers. With the three consecutive losses, Ohio State struggled offensively, shooting 34.3 percent from the floor and once again collapsed late to give a game away.

The root of the problem for the Buckeyes starts with an inconsistent level of play from the more experienced players on the roster. With Zed Key playing limited minutes, Justice Sueing needs to find more ways to score efficiently. Combine that with Isaac Likekele scoring four points in four games and Sean McNeil having hot-and-cold stretches, this is putting an uncomfortable onus on the young players to create offense.

Bruce Thornton has been a solid guard in his first season, expecting him to add anything out of the ordinary to the points category on the box score is not fair. Brice Sensabaugh has shown to be a defensive liability to the point of getting benched in favor of a more defensive lineup against Rutgers. Sensabaugh was also the main reason the Buckeyes were in the game in the end with his offensive capabilities, scoring 17 second half points.

That still was not enough. In Ohio State’s best defensive game of the year, they were outscored 68-64, and the decision to choose defense backfired for Holtmann in the long run.

This just emphasizes the issues of this team. There is a definitive lack of identity in the program at this point, and if that doesn’t change, this season could be another year wasted.

Starting with program expectations, end of season results under Holtmann have not varied. The team has won 20 or 21 games in the last four seasons. As of now the Buckeyes are looking like a team that would be falling short of that of that mark. If Holtmann goes another year with a lottery pick and no success in March, the fans who aren’t already restless will likely be joining the fray.

The expectations of tournament success are sometimes a little overbearing. If the Buckeyes make a run in March, no one will remember this stretch in January, but that’s a question that will be answered down the road. The current results still matter, and if the Buckeyes don’t improve quickly, this can be the start of a downward trajectory.

This season, the Buckeyes were never conference title favorites. Ohio State was projected to finish fifth place in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes right now rank 12th out of 14 teams. There is a long way to go, and there is precedent for improvement with Ohio State having a rough January — in 2019 Ohio State was 2-6 with an eerily similar four game stretch, then turned it around to get back into conference and tournament contention, closing the year on an 8-3 run. Unfortunately, that season was deterred by a global pandemic, and the Buckeyes did not get to see the final results through.

For the identity of this team, the offensive efficiency is still there. Ohio State is fourth in Ken Pomeroy’s Adjusted Offensive efficiency metric, and 104th in Adjusted defensive efficiency. Holtmann’s teams have never been elite on the defensive side of the ball, but that stat is problematic when the offense goes cold. Outside of Sensabaugh, there hasn’t been a player who has found any consistency on the offensive end — and Sensabaugh has been far from an efficient scorer.

Going back to the drawing board, the Buckeyes need to get back to the strengths of this team. Crisp offensive sets, team rebounding, and strong communication on the defensive end. Getting burned on switches and not fighting through ball screens can not be the norm moving forward if the Buckeyes want to right the ship.

Hopefully this game turns into a foundational building block on the defensive end, because they did limit the Scarlet Knights to the second lowest shooting percentage in conference play. If they can finally match the effort on both sides of the ball there is reason to believe the Buckeyes can turn this thing around.

Going from there and looking ahead for the Buckeyes, they return to the floor against Nebraska in Lincoln for what is now a huge road game. If they drop a fifth straight, the defcon level raises inside the program, and the voices wanting change will have another bullet point to their arguments. With a stretch following that includes Illinois, Iowa, a struggling Indiana, a ranked Wisconsin, and a Michigan team who is also looking to right the ship. There is not an easy win in the Big Ten, and that is why the 0-4 stretch is that much more amplified.

For the Buckeyes, the margin of error is gone, and the pressure cooker is ready to pop. Going 0-4 in a stretch where 2-2 probably would have been acceptable goes to show just how fast the fall can occur. Nebraska is 9-9 and 2-5 in conference play, and this is as close to a get-right game as you can get. The Basketball Buckeyes have few opportunities left to get this back on track, if not there will be a lot of questions. And if that stretch turns from 0-4 to 0-5, there is not much anyone can say to change the minds of public opinion.

Finding what this team wants to be will be crucial. Diving in with the young guys can at least raise the excitement levels. Playing a defensive brand is not Holtmann’s identity, but without consistent offense it might need to be the case. Either way, picking one is a start, and building from there is needed.

The talent is there for the Buckeyes, and bringing in the amount of new faces mean there were going to be some growing pains. Unfortunately, the time for growing is done, and results need to matter. For Holtmann and the Buckeyes, it is time to find an identity for the 2022-2023 team.

Ohio State men’s basketball is better than what they have shown, and now it is time for them to show they are still a team to believe in.

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Ohio State women’s basketball ranked No. 2 in latest AP Poll
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The Buckeyes match their program high ranking with Stanford loss

Monday, the Ohio State women’s basketball team reached another milestone. After already eclipsing their best start in history, they’ve now met their all-time high in the AP Poll, earning the No. 2 ranking in the country.

That new ranking comes a day after previous No. 2 Stanford University lost to unranked University of Southern California. The Trojans beat Stanford 55-46, for their first win over a team ranked No. 2 or higher since 2008.

It was Stanford’s second loss this season after falling to the No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks in overtime on Nov. 20, 2022. The first loss was understandable, considering the power of the Gamecocks, but the Sunday loss gave the Buckeyes an opening.

Stanford isn’t the only reason for the ranking. The Scarlet & Gray had their part to play in too.

Head coach Kevin McGuff’s side is one of three remaining undefeated teams in the country, alongside South Carolina and the LSU Tigers. Ohio State’s done it with four ranked wins and a fifth win that was close to a ranked victory.

The Buckeyes began the year beating then the No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers and followed it up with convincing wins against the No. 16 Louisville Cardinals, No. 16 Oregon Ducks, No. 14 Michigan Wolverines and a record 17-point second half comeback against the Illinois Fighting Illini a day before they entered the rankings.

Since beating the Illini, the Buckeyes had a bye week but came back to conference play beating the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Nebraska. While Nebraska isn’t ranked, they began the year No. 22, beat a ranked Maryland Terrapins to start Big Ten play and feature a team that could go to their second-straight NCAA Tournament.

Monday’s No. 2 ranking matches the highest spot for the Buckeyes women’s basketball team in their program. On March 13, 2006, Ohio State ended the season in that spot following the NCAA Tournament where the Buckeyes entered as a No. 1 regional seed but lost in the second round to No. 8 Boston College.

This season, the Buckeyes are breaking team records with a blistering full court press and a diverse group of scorers on the offensive side of the ball. The Scarlet & Gray is also doing it without their two starting point guards, making the accomplishment even more special.

Guards Jacy Sheldon (who tied the program record for steals in a game with 11 this season) and Madison Greene each missed substantial time and missed games against ranked opponents.

Sheldon’s foot injury has her week-to-week but Greene’s knee injury has her out for the rest of the season. That means Ohio State’s found ways to win with depth and a veteran team, led by guards Taylor Mikesell, Rikki Harris and forward Rebeka Mikulášiková. Sprinkled into the mix are dynamic underclassmen like forwards Taylor Thierry and Cotie McMahon.

Ohio State’a new ranking puts a larger target on their backs at a turning point in the conference season. After Thursday’s home game against Northwestern, they welcome a ranked Iowa Hawkeyes and travel to a top-10 Indiana Hoosiers team three days later.

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Savor the rarity of Ohio State’s incredible run of receiver play
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
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This isn’t normal. We only think it is. | Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

Ohio State’s receivers room cup runneth over in recent years. Don’t take it for granted.

It’s difficult for a lot of us to live in the moment and appreciate the good things in life when what triggers us most are the things we don’t have. The pursuit of the better job, the bigger house, and the nicer car is something that can get in the way of the enjoyment of the ones we have.

It doesn’t just happen with our personal lives, though. We also bring that to our methods of escapism, especially when it comes to watching sports.

I grew up in an era when Ohio State typically won nine football games and lost three in any given season. Back then, the gold standard in the Big Ten was reaching (and winning) the Rose Bowl. It wasn’t an easy task, and I’ve seen OSU coaches survive worse seasons than 9-3 and get rewarded for doing better. Times have changed.

The Buckeyes are coming off a season in which they went 11-2 and came within a missed field goal of playing in the national championship game. That’s the kind of season that used to lead to contract extensions and significant raises in Columbus. Now, it makes a portion of the fan base scream on social media for coaches to be fired and players to get benched.

That’s fine, because high expectations mean that the program is operating at a level of high success, and fans’ minimum demands (the ‘floor’) have risen. But it also might mean people aren’t allowing themselves to be happy.

I didn’t set out to write about the team’s record, however. I came to point out that some things have to be enjoyed while they’re present because history shows that nothing lasts forever. This includes the ridiculous golden age we are currently living in when it comes to the success of Ohio State wide receivers.

It’s not difficult to point to the cornerbacks or the linebackers to see that a position group goes through good and not-so-good periods in terms of performance. Both of those position groups have been the strengths of the program for many years, but haven’t been at quite that level recently — although it was a nice upswing for the linebackers this year.

The wide receivers room is riding the crest of the wave right now, but a trough at some point is as inevitable as the tide itself.

Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Ebuka both eclipsed 70 catches and 1,000 receiving yards in 2022. Those two both cracked the top five in OSU history in receptions in a season, slotting into the fourth and (tied for) fifth spots all-time and that’s also where they rank all-time for receiving yards in a season after 2022.

The only player in the top five in receptions who played prior to 2018 — just four short years ago! — is David Boston, who caught 85 passes in 1998. Boston and Terry Glenn (1,411 in 1995) are the only receivers in the top five in single-season yards prior to 2021.

There’s more passing in today’s game, certainly, but to have so many of the school’s historic leaders in such a short period of time is nothing short of amazing. These guys are doing things that simply haven’t been done.

Last year was perhaps even more ludicrous. Jaxon Smith-Njigba set the school’s all-time records for catches (95) and yards (1,606) in a season. In more than 100 years of Buckeye football, no receiver has done better than JSN did in 2021. But teammates Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave also had seasons that year that would have been elite prior to just a few years ago.

Wilson caught 70 passes for 1,058 yards and Olave hauled in 65 for 936 yards. At the time, both Wilson and Olave were in the top 15 in single-season receiving yards in Ohio State history. Smith-Njigba’s total for 2021 alone placed him 23rd on the OSU career receiving yards list.

JSN was supposed to be the Buckeyes’ primary weapon in the receiving corps in 2022, but injuries prevented that. It hardly slowed Ohio State’s passing attack down not to have him, and that’s despite the loss of both Olave and Wilson to the NFL — where they became the first collegiate teammates to both eclipse 1,000 yards as a rookie. Wilson caught 83 passes for 1,103 yards for the New York Jets, while Chris Olave snagged 72 balls in New Orleans for 1,042 yards.

Taking Olave, Wilson, Harrison, and Egbuka into account, that’s 306 combined catches for this year’s and last year’s Ohio State starting wide receivers, for a total of 4,559 yards in a single football season. If that’s not something that should be savored, I don’t know what is.

Harrison’s 14 receiving touchdowns also tied Boston’s 1997 output as the second-most in one college football year by a Buckeye. Glenn had 17 in 1995, making him the only player with more touchdown receptions in a season. It was a quarter of a century between Boston’s 14 touchdowns and Harrison’s. Most of the student body had never seen anyone catch 14 tuddies (shout out to my returning students!).

It boggles the mind to think that four of the best receiving seasons happened in the last two seasons by four different players. And now two of them are doing the same kinds of things in the professional ranks.

Ohio State will most likely have a potent passing attack next year and the year after that. The program has become a favorite landing spot for the country’s best prep receivers and quarterbacks under Ryan Day and position coach Brian Hartline.

But fans should savor the school’s passing pipeline while it exists. It will take a downturn at some point because what goes up, must come down. What we’ve been seeing isn’t normal, so let’s appreciate it — even if we greedily demand more at the same time.

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Column: Whatever C.J. Stroud decides today, we should celebrate it as the right decision for him
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
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Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

I know what I would do in his situation, but that doesn’t really matter.

I am of the opinion that as fans — and more importantly, as human beings — we should not be in the business of telling other adults what is the right decision for them; especially when it comes to athletes that we only know from watching on the field, court, or ice. More so, I don’t think that we should tell other people that they’ve made the wrong decision, even if we disagree with them; a pernicious pastime for some that has gotten more and more toxic thanks to social media.

But, if you think that college players should have the ability to make money after generations before them were denied the opportunity, then you should trust them to make the best business decisions for them and their families. If you support players using their voices and platforms for things that matter to them, then you should trust them to make the best personal decisions for them and their families.

The thing is, no matter how much we think that we know about a situation that doesn’t involve us, we usually can’t even comprehend a fraction of all of the factors at play in someone else’s life, in their mind, or in their heart. So, it’s best to just trust them to make the decision that is in their best interest and support them from there.

Obviously, there are exceptions when it comes to destructive behavior and immediate health concerns, but when it is a decision about money, responsibilities, priorities, and opportunities, those of us watching from the sideline are probably better served to just sit those conversations out. Sure, we can talk about what we would do if we were in that situation, but we are just not equipped to pass judgment on someone else’s choices; we don’t know all of their individual circumstances, we don’t know what is factoring into their thought processes, we don’t know what is weighing on their hearts.

Whether it’s about when to retire, where to sign as a free agent, whether to enter the transfer portal, or whether to declare for the NFL Draft, let’s face it, 99.9% of us have no idea what goes into those decisions; how could we? In many of those cases, the money and notoriety that comes from them far exceed anything that we could comprehend. Yes, the extra zeroes on the end of a check can be incredibly alluring, but almost none of us are able to truly comprehend what it means to leave behind a legacy that doesn’t live up to our own expectations. When it comes to people who are amongst the most competitive in the world, I can’t even imagine how heavy a burden that must be.


That’s the situation that Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud finds himself in today. He has until 12 midnight ET to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft. A two-time Heisman Trophy finalist and a projected top-five pick, the assumption had been that the Rancho Cucamonga native had played his last game in the scarlet and gray when the Buckeyes lost to the eventual national champion Georgia Bulldogs in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

But, as his teammates and other highly touted prospects began to make their intentions known, Stroud stayed silent. As the days rolled by, No. 7’s lack of a declaration became increasingly conspicuous; despite being bandied about at the top of every mock draft, Stroud has technically remained outside of the official draft process. There is no doubt that if he opts to become a pro, he would be in line to make tens of millions of dollars via signing bonus alone, but Stroud has not yet made that declaration.

While the level-headed consensus is that it is an eventuality that Stroud will make himself eligible for the draft by day’s end, the fact that it has taken him this long to make such an announcement should show us what a difficult decision this is for him. Throughout his time in Columbus, the quarterback has shown that he is a deeply thoughtful and spiritual person, never missing an opportunity to thank God and talk about his religious beliefs. So perhaps it should not be as big of a surprise as it has been that he seems to be weighing more than just money when it comes to his next step.

Should he return to Ohio State, certainly increased NIL sponsorships would bridge the gap between what he made as a college quarterback in 2022 and what he would have made as a pro-QB in 2023, but he would still be turning down a lot of money in the short term and delaying the bigger, long-term money that he would make on the back end of his NFL contracts.

And while those factors are all logical, and for many of us, might be enough to push us to an easy decision, they have apparently not yet done so for C.J. — at least not publicly. And you know what? That’s ok.

One of the joys of the internet, social media, and message boards is that everybody has the opportunity to share their opinions and engage in conversation about anything they would like; of course, the downside is that everybody has the opportunity to share their opinions and engage in conversation about anything they would like.

So, inevitably, no matter what the outcome, there will be people who criticize C.J.; they will criticize him for taking as long as he did, they will criticize him for prioritizing the wrong things. If he leaves, they will criticize him for getting Ohio State fans’ hopes up, and if he stays, they will criticize him for forcing other QBs to transfer.

No matter the outcome, someone is going to say Stroud made the wrong decision, but as far as I’m concerned, that’s just not possible. No one knows what’s most important to C.J. Stroud better than C.J. Stroud. No one is able to say what is best for him and his family better than he and his family can. So whether he announces that he is running it back with his brothers this fall or that he is ready to move into the next chapter of his life and career, we should congratulate him and wish him the best.

I know you didn’t ask, but if I were in C.J.’s shoes, I would have declared for the NFL Draft two weeks ago and would already be working on moving up as high in the draft order as possible, in order to ensure that I got the biggest rookie contract that I could. But in admitting that, I appreciate that C.J. is going to make his own decision, guided by his god, his personal priorities, conversations with those closest to him, and what resides in his heart; and that’s really all that we can ask.

Whatever C.J. ends up deciding today, it will be the right decision for him, regardless of what people on the internet think or say.

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Column: Does C.J. Stroud have to return for Ohio State to meet expectations next season?
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Or does a new quarterback need to be ushered in?

It’s been over two weeks since the Buckeyes’ season ended, and C.J. Stroud has yet to declare for the NFL Draft. Meanwhile, many of his teammates have actually made the decision to return for another year.

Could Stroud actually come back? If so, what impact would that have on next year’s team?

As each day passes, it seems more and more likely that Stroud may not go pro this year. Shocking, since he is a projected top-five pick. Yet, he may not be happy with the legacy he has left at Ohio State and has unfinished business. It seems to be that way for many of his teammates, such as Tommy Eichenberg and Miyan Williams.

So, what if Stroud comes back?

Statistically, he is a great quarterback. In terms of major wins though, he isn’t doing too hot on the biggest stage. He put up big numbers game after game. He made his receivers look amazing (obviously, they’re amazing already). Yet, he hasn’t beat Michigan and he hasn’t won a College Football Playoff game. Does that mean it’s time for a change at quarterback?

Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK

Personally, I want Stroud to come back. I know that it is a very divisive topic, but you can’t deny that he is one of the best QBs in the nation. The man is a two-time Heisman finalist. I’m aware, finalist, not winner. But, if the game against Georgia showed me anything, it’s that Stroud clearly has the potential to be the winner, should he come back for another year.

If you asked me after the Michigan game, I would have said thank you for everything C.J., but I think it’s time we go our separate ways, good luck with your future. But he absolutely balled out against Georgia. He ran a lot. He had zero turnovers. He looked like a real leader out there, and that is what this 2023 team will need.

There will be some new guys on the offensive line, and hopefully some new guys in the secondary, but besides that, it will be a relatively veteran team. The offense that played together this year will be largely the same offense next year if Stroud stays. Having that experience with each other could be valuable next season.

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Plus, with some new faces on the O-Line, it would be nice not to have a brand-new QB behind them. I’m sure whoever the new starters are will be great, but there will have to be an adjustment period. With Stroud under center (a new center, might I add), I’m sure it would put the linemen at ease knowing they have a veteran quarterback behind them.

Now, I’m not saying if Kyle McCord or Devin Brown became the starting QB that the team would be unsuccessful. It is simply unknown. I’m pretty confident in saying that we would be a pretty dang good team, but I don’t know if we could beat Michigan or what the postseason would look like.

I just like the idea of one last hurrah with a bunch of seniors and a veteran at QB. Eichenberg, Williams, Xavier Johnson and Cade Stover all came back to leave a legacy they are proud of. Stroud has been their guy for the past two years, and it’s starting to look like he might be it for a third. He was voted a captain, so clearly they respect him as a leader.

And I think he might just be the guy to lead them to victory next season, too.

Continue reading...

Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for January 16, 2023
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.

Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.

You’re welcome!

For your Earholes...


Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio

On the Gridiron


Column: One word explains why C.J. Stroud hasn’t declared for the NFL Draft yet
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

2023 NFL Draft decision pending for C.J. Stroud: What they’re saying about Ohio State QB ahead of deadline
Brad Crawford, 247Sports

Why hasn’t Ohio State football’s C.J. Stroud declared for the 2023 NFL Draft yet?
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com

That’s a lot of money for C.J. to turn down.


Ohio State promotes Hartline to offensive coordinator
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch

What naming Brian Hartline offensive coordinator means for Buckeyes (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes

What appointing Brian Hartline as offensive coordinator means for Ohio State
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Ohio State fans excited for Brian Hartline as offensive coordinator
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State football: Brian Hartline’s promotion to OC praised by media
Grant Hughes, 247Sports


Ohio State’s Jerron Cage invited to East-West Shrine Bowl
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Five Buckeyes who could have NFL Draft decisions to make next offseason (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Three Thoughts on the 2023 early enrollee position groups
Chip Minnich, Land-Grant Holy Land


We’ll talk about this later: What do Stetson Bennett and Tommy Boy have in common
Meredith Hein, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Hardwood


Ohio State men lose to Rutgers 68-64 in overtime, drop fourth-straight game
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land

Rutgers gets revenge, sends Ohio State to fourth straight loss
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State Follows “Worst Offensive Game of the Year” with Even Worse Shooting Performance Against Rutgers in Fourth Straight Loss
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors


Cotie McMahon’s rare trait helping propel the No. 3 Ohio State women’s basketball
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land

Game Notes: No. 3 Ohio State women road win over Nebraska Cornhuskers
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Wrestling: No. 8 Buckeyes Down No. 19 Rutgers, 27-12
Ohio State Athletics

Women’s Ice Hockey: Buckeyes Sweep the Badgers with 5-0 Shutout Win
Ohio State Athletics


Men’s Volleyball: No. 14 Buckeyes Earn 3-1 Win at George Mason
Ohio State Athletics

Men’s Tennis, Buckeyes Storm Past NKU and Xavier on Opening Day
Ohio State Athletics

Men’s Gymnastics: Ohio State Finishes Third with a 394.900 at Windy City Invite
Ohio State Athletics

And now for something completely different...


I’m not normally a zombie guy (although, my brother is obsessed with them), but I’m pumped for this show:


Continue reading...

I-70 Football Podcast: Kevin Warren is leaving for the Bears
JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

In this episode, we discuss recent Big Ten happenings and give our way too early 2023 predictions

Welcome to a new episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s I-70 podcast. On this show, we talk about all things Big Ten football and basketball. After every week of action, we will get you caught up on all the conference’s games and look ahead at the matchups, storylines, and players that you should be paying attention to in the next week. My name is Jordan Williams, and I am joined by my co-host Dante Morgan.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:


Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio

After a long layoff due to the holidays Dante and Jordan are back with another episode of the I-70 Football Podcast. Since we last recorded Ohio State and Michigan lost in the College Football Playoff semi-finals while Georgia destroyed TCU en route to winning back-to-back national championships. In recent news, Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren is leaving the Big Ten to accept the position as President of the Chicago Bears.

Warren’s tenure with the Big Ten will be highly debated, on one hand, he orchestrated the largest television contract in college football history and brought USC and UCLA into the Big Ten. On the other hand, he made more enemies than friends as coaches, fans and administrators still haven’t forgiven him for canceling the Big Ten season due to Covid. Warren may not be remembered fondly but he made a major impact in a short period and is on track to reach his goal of becoming the next commissioner of the NFL.

In other news, at the time of recording C.J. Stroud has not decided on if he will enter the NFL draft or return to Ohio State for a third season. Jim Harbaugh has to make a decision as well, despite claiming to want to be back at Michigan for the 2023 season he is once again interviewing for NFL head coaching jobs. Which is more likely: Harbaugh roaming the sidelines in Ann Arbor or Indianapolis?

We’re voting for Indianapolis with Denver as a close second. Much like all of college football the Big Ten is constantly changing. In this vein, Illinois defensive coordinator has accepted the head coaching job at Purdue. Kent State transfer wide receiver has committed to Penn State and OSU wide receivers coach Brian Hartline has been promoted to offensive coordinator to replace Kevin Wilson, the new head coach at Tulsa.

In the final segment of the show, the guys give their way too early superlatives for the 2023 football season. You can never take early predictions too seriously but the impending decisions by C.J. Stroud and Jim Harbaugh make these almost impossible. There is one thing we can be sure of though, Marvin Harrison Jr. will be the best wide receiver in the Big Ten next season.


Connect with us on Twitter:

Jordan: @JordanW330
Dante: @DanteM10216

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Ohio State hands out four new offers in the 2024 class
Bret Favachio via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Jordon Johnson-Rubell | 247Sports

The Buckeyes look to be casting a wider net with more spots likely available in this years class.

Another busy weekend for the Buckeyes coaching staff is in the books after they sent out a quartet of new offers in recent days. Plus, one of the premiere defensive prospects in the 2024 recruiting cycle discusses his offer from Ohio State.

Ohio State dishes out four offers


The Buckeyes had their eyes on two states in particular this weekend, and it was very much familiar territory for the program. Ohio State rewarded a pair of prospects from Florida and two others from their own backyard in Ohio.

Among the two Sunshine State products on the receiving end of an offer from the Buckeyes were 2024 four-star safety Jordon Johnson-Rubell of IMG Academy (FL) and 2024 three-star wide receiver Terrance Moore of Tampa Catholic (FL).

Just four days after narrowing down his recruitment to 12 schools, Johnson-Rubell was given an offer from Ohio State who will look to throw a wrench into things as they begin their pursuit of the 5-foot-10, 175-pounder. Moore, the other Floridian that was offered by the scarlet and gray, saw a couple of other schools aside from the Buckeyes drop scholarship opportunities, including Florida and USC.


Not to be forgotten, Ohio State also did some work in their own stomping grounds this weekend as offensive line coach Justin Frye looked at St. Edward (OH) to dish out offers to the Armstrong Twins — a pair of three-stars offensive tackles.

Devontae Armstrong comes in as the higher ranked of the two, but both come out graded pretty closely on the 247Sports Consensus. Deonte Armstrong comes in as the 34th highest graded tackle in the class — just seven slots below Devontae. The two twin Buckeye targets both slot inside of the top-20 prospects in Ohio.

Rushing talks Buckeye offer


One prospect who entered the weekend with an Ohio State offer under his belt is 2024 five-star defensive end Elijah Rushing of Salpointe Catholic (AZ) who was sent an offer earlier last week. The Tucson native sat down with Garrick Hodge of Eleven Warriors to discuss the offer and an earlier trip he made to Columbus in April.

“The atmosphere was amazing. I loved it,” Rushing told Hodge. “I didn’t get to see much of campus when I was here, but I got to see the facilities and the facilities look great.” The top ranked defensive end in the class also spoke on the program and the importance of the offer.

“I felt like when I started looking at Ohio State, the biggest comparison I had seen to my frame was Chase Young,” Hodge revealed. “It’s definitely a huge offer.”

Quick Hits

• Ohio State saw a pair of prospects that they were finalists for head elsewhere this weekend, as 2024 four-star safety Jaylen Heyward of Rockledge (FL) committed to Georgia and 2024 four-star tight end Christian Bentancur of Marian Central Catholic (IL) announced his pledge to Clemson.

Heyward, the No. 2 safety in the class, had the Buckeyes as one of his final six schools. As for Bentancur, the top 150 prospect slotted Ohio State in his top three before ultimately deciding on the Tigers.

• A pair of now former Buckeyes found their new homes this weekend after brief stints in the transfer portal. Defensive end Javonte Jean-Baptiste announced he will suit up for Marcus Freeman and the Irish next season, while long-snapper Mason Arnold committed to Michigan State.

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Game Notes: No. 3 Ohio State women road win over Nebraska Cornhuskers
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ohio State University athletic department

The Ohio State women’s basketball team headed to Nebraska and won with a big return performance from a big.

It’s hard to tell how a team comes out of having almost a week off from games, but the Ohio State women’s basketball team wasted no time letting the conference know they’re not relenting. The No. 3, undefeated, Buckeyes beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers on their own court, in a different way than usual, led by a big day from a forward.

Here’s what stood out from the win.

Rebeka Mikulášiková is Back


In the words of head coach Kevin McGuff, “She’s back!”


Forward Rebeka Mikulášiková started the year on a tear. In the first eight games, Mikulášiková scored 158 points, compared to last season where the forward started all 32 games and scored 301. She was on a trend to blow away her previous three NCAA seasons combined.

In the next nine games that followed though, inconsistency plagued Mikulášiková and her body language on the court was one of frustration. Saturday, Mikulášiková looked like the one who started the 2022-23 season.

The Slovakian was dangerous all over the court against the Huskers. In the first half, Mikulášiková went after Nebraska center Alexis Markowski, playing with agility and patience to get around the 21/22 Freshman of the Year.

Mikulášiková scored 10 of her 13 first-half points inside the three-point line, causing Nebraska to adjust in the second half. After Nebraska outscored the Buckeyes 13-6 to cut their deficit to one, the forward took over. After a few failed attempts to break through triple coverage in the paint, Mikulášiková stepped back and hit shots from everywhere outside of it.


Ohio State outscored Nebraska 14-5 to end the third quarter and Mikulášiková had nine of those points. It was a crucial game not only for the standings but Mikulášiková’s season.

“I feel like it was missing from me the past couple of games,” said Mikulášiková. “I was shooting a lot of threes and I didn’t play well inside, so I wanted to focus on playing a more balanced game inside and out.”

In Mikulasikova’s 25-point game, the balance was clear. The forward scored nine points from deep, two from the free throw line, and the remaining 14 points from inside the paint and with midrange shots.

Defensive Presence


Over the past month, the Scarlet & Gray turned black and blue after going up against dominant players in the paint. Against the USF Bulls on Dec. 20, Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu scored 34 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. Last Sunday, Illinois Fighting Illini forward Kendall Bostic had 27 points and 15 rebounds.

In both of those games, the Buckeyes needed to mount big comebacks to overcome the big’s performances. To the tune of 18 points against USF and 17 versus the Fighting Illini. Saturday, the Buckeyes faced an equally dangerous center in Alexis Markowski and it was a different story.

“Nebraska has very tall and physical players, especially in the paint,” said forward Taylor Thierry. “They can score on you not only in the paint but on the perimeter but yeah, definitely our focus was making sure it was tough for them to score in the paint.”

Mikulášiková, Thierry, and forward Cotie McMahon made it especially difficult for Markowski and the Cornhuskers.

Last season, Markowski had a double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds against the Buckeyes. Saturday it was 15 points and eight rebounds. While Markowski still had her moments, especially in the third quarter, the center who entered the game with nine double-doubles on the season wasn’t as impactful as usual.

From the jump, Ohio State made sure there were players inside the paint, making things difficult for anyone who came into the post. Mikulášiková was integral in that, putting her hands up, mostly avoiding unnecessary fouls, and keeping scoring down.

Although Nebraska outscored Ohio State in the paint 42-36, most of those points came from guard Sam Haiby who led Nebraska with 16 points. Many of those came on one-on-one runs to the basket starting near the perimeter.

A positive in outside of the paint defense was Huskers’ guard Jaz Shelley. Buckeyes’ guards held her to six points, continuing a tough run for the Australian’s scoring. Shelley’s scored 21 points in the last four games, including a zero-point game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

That doesn’t mean she wasn’t effective elsewhere though. Shelley still had six assists and five steals on the day.

Depth Paying Off


With guards Jacy Sheldon and Madison Greene out, most of the questions to coach McGuff and the Buckeyes are surrounding their depth. After weeks of increased minutes for Walker and guards Hevynne Bristow and Emma Shumate, their presence was needed against Nebraska.

That’s because the foul calls were coming Ohio State’s way fast and fierce, but not unfairly. The Buckeyes were physical and seemed to feed off the loud home Nebraska crowd. That meant players had to go to the bench.

McMahon was especially difficult to lose, but Bristow gave quality minutes in the freshman’s place. Bristow struggled with a few tough turnovers but made up for them with highly efficient shooting and big plays.

Bristow had eight points off two open threes the Cornhuskers gave the Brooklyn, New York native. In the fourth, Bristow also made a play that helped suck the energy and Cornhuskers' momentum out of the arena.


Substitutes Walker and Shumate each put in five minutes of their own, although not as impactful offensively, but still playing positively on defense. If the play of the three regular substitutes for Ohio State continues, and Sheldon returns from her lower leg injury, it pushes the Buckeyes to another level.

Tough Day for Cotie McMahon


McMahon’s day wasn’t tough because of a bad performance but because of the physicality that came her way throughout the game.

At the start of the game, McMahon was fantastic. The forward had three assists, four points, and a block on Markowski in eight minutes on the court. In one run to the basket, McMahon took a knock from Markowski, sending her to the padding at the base of the basket.

Then, late in the first quarter, McMahon turned her ankle when forward Isabelle Bourne gave up position to McMahon with the freshman’s back turned. It put McMahon on the bench until almost halfway into the second quarter.

Foul trouble also hampered her day, getting to four fouls in the third quarter, but when she returned another knock came her way. In the fourth quarter, McMahon landed hard on her left arm, but the forward continued to play. For now, the freshman is doing ok.

“She plays so hard and just collisions happen all over the place with her,” said McGuff. “So that’s going to happen, but she bounces back and she’s a tough kid, so I think she’s fine.”

Quietly Effective


While Mikulášiková controlled the attention for much of the game, guards Rikki Harris and Thierry put in foundational performances.

Both of the starters had no turnovers, in a game where Nebraska forced more turnovers than the Buckeyes. Thierry also shot 100% from the field, hitting 6-for-6 and another point from the free throw line.

Harris added eight rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Although her scoring efficiency was tough, going 2-for-8, a Harris three-point shot in the third quarter ultimately kept Ohio State in the lead for the entire game. Plus the defensive work the junior put into covering Shelley made it another important game for Ohio State’s point guard while Sheldon recovers.

Cutting Back on the Press


Nebraska forced more turnovers than Ohio State 18-12. While the amount isn’t ideal, the reason the Buckeyes forced turnovers was down was by design.

“We didn’t press as much as we normally do, we wanted to play a little differently today,” said McGuff. “I thought we could win in the half-court and I thought for the most part our defense was pretty good. We’ve been riding these kids hard so we didn’t want to press as much today just to save their legs a little bit.”

It’s a sign that coach McGuff is focused on the long haul for this team. He doesn’t care about staying undefeated, but getting Ohio State prepared for March. The half-court focus paid off for the Buckeyes against Nebraska.

Don’t be surprised if that continues against the Northwestern Wildcats on Thursday, with the No. 12 Iowa Hawkeyes looming, heading to Columbus for a matchup on Jan. 23.

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Ohio State men lose to Rutgers 68-64 in overtime, drop fourth-straight game
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Both teams played tough on the defensive end in the latest installment of this growing rivalry.

The Ohio State Buckeyes (10-7, 2-4) fell to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (13-5, 5-2) in what was a battle from the beginning at the RAC Center, home of the Scarlet Knights. The two teams went back and forth throughout the second half leading to a bonus five minutes of overtime basketball. Ultimately, the Scarlet Knights pulled out the victory, earning a 68-64 victory. The loss was the fourth-straight for the Buckeyes, who haven’t won since New Year’s Day in Evanston, Ill. against Northwestern.

In the first matchup, the Buckeyes won a last-second buzzer-beater from almost half-court in what ended up being a controversial finish as it seems Holden might have stepped out of bounds and not established himself fully back in bounds before touching the ball.

Buckeye freshman Brice Sensabaugh entered the game as the Buckeyes' leading scorer, averaging 16.8 points per game. Justice Sueing adds 14.8 points per game and Zed Key entered the game averaging 12.3 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game.

For Rutgers, Cam Spencer entered the game averaging 13.5 points per game and Cliff Omoruyi averages a double-double at 13.2 points per game and 10.0 rebounds per game.

This one got off to a sluggish start, much to the favor of Rutgers as they enjoy playing those types of games, and both teams started 0-for-6 from the field. Rutgers's Caleb McConnell got the scoring started on a fast break layup and a back cut for a layup that gave Rutgers a 4-0 lead with just over 15 minutes left.


The Buckeyes brought in Zed Key and Brice Sensabaugh early off the bench and Key provided a spark early, scoring four quick points and two rebounds. Tanner Holden added a quick five points off the bench and the Buckeyes went on a 15-0 run to take a 15-4 lead.


Rutgers answered with a 7-0 run of their own to cut the Buckeye lead to 15-11. The Buckeyes have struggled shooting the three-pointer in recent contests, but over the first 12 minutes in this one, they were 4-for-7 with threes from McNeil, Sensabaugh, and Holden.

Rutgers got a three from steady guard Paul Mulcahy and at the under-8-minute media timeout, the Buckeyes led 20-14.

Both teams hit another scoring drought, as neither team scored for almost three minutes. Cam Spencer hit a three-pointer in the corner to break the drought and cut the Buckeye lead in half.

After some more missed shots, the Buckeyes were able to take a 23-20 lead into the half at the RAC Center.

Tanner Holden and Zed Key led the way for the Buckeyes in the first half, with Holden scoring seven points off the bench and Zed Key recording six points and five rebounds.

For Rutgers, Caleb McConnell had six points and Cam Spencer had five points.

To start the second half, Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell was whistled for an early technical foul and the Buckeyes scored the first points of the half at the free throw line from Sean McNeil.

Rutgers big man Cliff Omoruyi also picked up an early third foul and had to go to the bench just one minute into the second half.

After the teams traded buckets, the Buckeyes got a third three-pointer from Sean McNeil to take a 33-32 lead.

Justice Sueing got a bucket to give the Buckeyes the lead back at 35-34, but two free throws from Cliff Omoruyi made it 36-35. Rutgers would take a 38-35 lead, but the Buckeyes answered with a 9-0 run and five straight points from Sensabaugh to make the score 44-38. Rutgers answered with a quick 5-0 run of their own and cut the Buckeyes' lead to just one with just over nine minutes left in the game.


Rutgers was able to get to the line at an efficient rate in the second half, shooting 14-for-14 from the free throw line in the first 14 minutes of the second half.

Bruce Thornton knocked down a floater in the lane for the Buckeyes to give them a 46-45 lead. Both teams continued to trade buckets and an offensive rebound and putback from Felix Okpara gave the Buckeyes a 53-52 lead with 5:10 left in the game


Two free throws from Sensabaugh gave the Buckeyes a 55-53 lead with just under four minutes remaining.

A Rutgers jumper tied the game at 55-55 at the under-4 media timeout.

A lob and dunk by Mulcahy to Omoruyi gave Rutgers a 57-55 lead and forced an Ohio State timeout with 1:44 left in the game.

Sensabaugh tied the game at 57 with 40 seconds left in the game and after two missed baskets by Sensabaugh and Spencer, we were treated to some free basketball.

Ohio State was 0-1 in overtime after a loss to North Carolina at Madison Square Garden and Rutgers had not played an overtime game yet.


To start overtime, Sean McNeil picked up his fifth foul and had to take a seat for the rest of the game. One free throw from Rutgers and an offensive rebound and putback from Key gave Ohio State a 59-58 lead.

Rutgers led 60-59 with 1:50 left in overtime when Brice Sensabaugh was fouled shooting a jumper. He made both and gave the Buckeyes a one-point lead. Sensabaugh also recorded his second career and second straight double-double.

Cliff Omoruyi gave Rutgers the lead after a layup on the other end.

Marwot Mag drilled a three-pointer for Rutgers after a Buckeyes miss to make the score 65-61. Justice Sueing missed a three-pointer for Ohio State to pretty much end it.

Rutgers won 68-64.

Ohio State was led by Brice Sensabaugh and Sean McNeil, who finished with 20 and 11 points, respectively. Zed Key also finished with 11 points. Sensabaugh added 10 rebounds.

Rutgers was led by Cam Spencer, who finished with 21 points. Marwot Mag added 14 points.

Sinking ship


The Buckeyes came into this one on a three-game losing streak and just 1-3 in the month of January. After starting 2-0 in the conference with wins over Rutgers and at Northwestern, The Buckeyes lost to Purdue, Maryland, and Minnesota, the last-place team in the conference, at home.

The Buckeyes lost by two to Purdue, by three to Minnesota, and held a halftime lead against Maryland.

Uniforms for the Buckeyes


The Buckeyes have worn a series of different uniforms this season, but this choice was one that was made intentionally. The Buckeyes wore their home white uniforms with the script “Buckeyes,” a kit they have only worn once this year.

They wore these uniforms against Rutgers in their first game and the decision to do it again this time around, even though they were on the road, was an intentional one, according to the Columbus Dispatch’s Adam Jardy.

Buckeye dominance


Even though Rutgers has been a pain to most Big Ten teams, the Buckeyes have had success against the Scarlet Knights. Ohio State is 11-4 against Rutgers all time, 7-0 at home and 4-2 at the RAC Center, which is pretty impressive considering it is one of the harder places to play.

Chris Holtmann came into this contest 7-2 against Rutgers.

New starting lineup


For the first time this season, the Buckeyes rolled out a starting lineup of Bruce Thornton, Isaac Likekele, Sean McNeil, Justice Sueing, and Felix Okpara. This was their fifth different starting lineup of the season and a lineup that has not been used since the Buckeyes' fifth game of the season when they played Texas Tech in the Maui Invitational.

Buckeyes leads at the half


Ohio State held a 23-20 lead at the half in what was a pretty bad first half if you like offense. The Buckeyes came into this one 10-3 when leading at the half this season and 1-1 in Sunday games.

Foul trouble


Cliff Omoruyi and Cam Spencer picked up two fouls in the first half for Rutgers, forcing the Scarlet Knights to play small ball and Zed Key to advantage, recording some easy baskets and rebounds down low.

Omoruyi also picked up his third foul immediately in the second half and had to sit on the bench up until just under 14 minutes remaining in the game.

For Ohio State, Zed Key and Sean McNeil picked up three fouls each early in the second half and Key picked up his fourth foul with seven minutes remaining in the contest.

First-half shooting struggles


It was not a pretty first half of basketball, as Ohio State led 23-20 and both teams shot the ball at under 30 percent from the field. The Buckeyes were just 8-for-31 from the field and 4-for-10 from three after starting 4-for-7. Rutgers was just 8-for-28 from the field in the first half and 2-for-11 from three-point range.

Tanner Holden enjoys playing Rutgers


It has been an adjustment for Wright State transfer Tanner Holden so far, as he went from a 20-point per game scorer at Wright State to a role player with the Buckeyes. However, against Rutgers so far this season, he hit the game-winning three in the first contest and led the Buckeyes in scoring in the first half in the second meeting with seven points. He would finish with seven points on 3-for-6 shooting.

Up Next:


Next for the Buckeyes in the Big Ten is a road date with the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network. The Buckeyes are 19-4 in 23 all-time meetings against Nebraska and are 8-1 at Nebraska.

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Oof, reached this lull in the season. No thread.

Bucks lead Rutgers 23-20 at half.